A special NLA meeting of experts on the net zero challenge for London provided an opportunity for a range of property and sustainability specialists to discuss current thinking on arguably the greatest long-term threat to humanity, climate change. 

1.    Mitigating climate change and reducing carbon emissions needs to remain a priority for policy makers and professionals in the built environment. When we get back to a resemblance of normality we need to continue to push for low and zero carbon buildings. There is a risk that pressure on budgets will aim to reduce expenditure on development, but planners and designers should maintain the focus on energy efficient design and reducing embodied carbon in construction. This was gaining noticeable momentum prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Recovery will be an opportunity for us to focus people’s minds on what really matters to our environment.

2.    We need to reinforce the co-benefits of zero carbon planning and improving social outcomes. For example, we have seen that improved air quality and access to green space are socially desirable and these are integral parts of a zero-carbon future. There is an opportunity to promote cycling and walking more than ever before. This is good for mental and physical health and reduces carbon emissions. Indeed, the effectiveness of virtual meetings has shown that business travel can be reduced significantly. 

3.    During the economic recovery there could be more of an appetite for science-based strategies as a foundation for informing design. We have recently seen how the government has openly stated that it needs to rely on research and the advice of experts. As professionals we should highlight the ongoing role for using evidence and lessons of post occupancy evaluation to show what works well and not so well. Our zero carbon future is all about outcomes not theory so learning lessons from successful carbon reduction will be critical. This includes learning lessons from other cities. Performance evaluation regularly shows us that simplicity in design and operation rather than complexity, is generally more effective in delivering intended outcomes. 

4.    Advancing net zero carbon will require much closer collaboration between planners, designers, constructors and other stakeholders. The pandemic has shown us that a well-intended policy measure can have unintended consequences if the delivery process and management hasn’t been properly thought through. An inclusive systems-thinking approach is necessary. Achieving zero carbon outcomes will require greater inclusion of the range of people that influence and are impacted by planning of our built environment. Designers have a critical role in making sure low carbon design is human-centric, resilient and adaptable. This may change what we perceive beautiful buildings will look like but mitigating climate change can’t be jeopardised by what we think looks fashionable. Indeed, we are likely to see that how we celebrate and award architecture will be increasingly based on the environmental and social responsibility of the design.  

 

For more on net-zero book on to the ‘Zero carbon London: establishing priorities for the post-COVID-19 recovery’ webinar taking place on Wednesday 13 May 2020 here. 

 

Marion Baeli, Partner, PDP

Ashley Bateson, Partner, Hoare Lea (Chair)

Hero Bennett, Principal Sustainability Consultant, Max Fordham

Gary Clark, Principal, Science and Technology Regional Leader, HOK London Studio

Juliette Morgan, Head of Sustainable Development, British Land

Nils Rage, Sustainable Design and Innovation Manager, Landsec

Douglas Phillips, Senior Environmental Analyst, Historic England

Craig Robertson, Associate, Head of Sustainability, AHMM

Tom Steel, Director, Heyne Tillett Steel

Sonal Jain, Director – Net Zero Carbon, Workplace and Clients, JLL

Derek Wilson, Senior Sustainable Development supervisor, TfL